Adjustable repair chords and spool mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

A method is provided, including implanting, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member, and coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle. Other embodiments are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/341,960 to Cabiri, entitled, “Adjustable annuloplasty ring and spool mechanism therefor,” filed Dec. 22, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to valve and chordae tendineae repair. More specifically, the present invention relates to repair of an atrioventricular valve and associated chordae tendineae of a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ischemic heart disease causes mitral regurgitation by the combination of ischemic dysfunction of the papillary muscles, arid the dilatation of the left ventricle that is present in ischemic heart disease, with the subsequent displacement of the papillary muscles and the dilatation of the mitral valve annulus.

Dilation of the annulus of the mitral valve prevents the valve leaflets from fully coapting when the valve is closed. Mitral regurgitation of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium results in increased total stroke volume and decreased cardiac output, and ultimate weakening of the left ventricle secondary to a volume overload and a pressure overload of the left atrium.

Chronic or acute left ventricular dilatation can lead to papillary muscle displacement with increased leaflet tethering due to tension on chordae tendineae, as well as annular dilatation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,692 to Zollinger et al. describes an adjustable support pad for adjustably holding a tensioning line used to apply tension to a body organ. The adjustable support pad can include a locking mechanism for preventing slidable movement of the tensioning element in one or both directions. The locking mechanism may include spring-loaded locks, rotatable cam-like structures, and/or rotatable spool structures. The adjustable support pad may be formed from rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible materials, and may be formed to conform to the outer surface of a body organ. The adjustable support pad can be configured to adjustably hold one or more separate tensioning lines, and to provide for independent adjustment of one or more tensioning lines or groups thereof.

US Patent Application Publication 2007/0118151 to Davidson describes a method and system to achieve leaflet coaptation in a cardiac valve percutaneously by creation of neochordae to prolapsing valve segments. This technique is especially useful in cases of ruptured chordae, but may be utilized in any segment of prolapsing leaflet. The technique described herein has the additional advantage of being adjustable in the beating heart. This allows tailoring of leaflet coaptation height under various loading conditions using image-guidance, such as echocardiography. This offers an additional distinct advantage over conventional open-surgery placement of artificial chordae. In traditional open surgical valve repair, chord length must be estimated in the arrested heart and may or may not be correct once the patient is weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. The technique described below also allows for placement of multiple artificial chordae, as dictated by the patient's pathophysiology.

The following patents and patent application publications, relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be of interest:

PCT Patent Application Publication WO 07/136783 to Cartledge et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,296 to Wright et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,198 to Wilson et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,291 to Hlavka et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,510 to Vidlund et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,176 to Lau

U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,395 to Tremulis et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,660 to Cartledge et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2003/0050693 to Quijano et al

US Patent Application Publication 2003/0167062 to Gambale et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2004/0024451 to Johnson et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2004/0148021 to Cartledge et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2004/0236419 to Milo

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0171601 to Cosgrove et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2005/0288781 to Moaddeb et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2007/0016287 to Cartledge et al.

US Patent Application Publication 2007/0080188 to Spence et al.

The following articles, which are incorporated herein by reference, may be of interest:

O'Reilly S et al., “Heart valve surgery pushes the envelope,” Medtech Insight 8(3): 73, 99-108 (2006)

Dieter R S, “Percutaneous valve repair: Update on mitral regurgitation and endovascular approaches to the mitral valve,” Applications in Imaging, Cardiac Interventions, Supported by an educational grant from Amersham Health pp. 11-14 (2003)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, subvalvular apparatus is provided comprising adjustable repair chords and a delivery tool for implantation thereof. The repair chords comprise one or more longitudinal members, e.g., sutures, wires, or elongate tensioning coils, which are coupled at respective first end portions thereof to an adjusting mechanism. In some embodiments, the repair chords function as artificial chordae tendineae. For some application, the repair chords are used to adjust a distance between two portions of the ventricular wall. The adjusting mechanism comprises a spool assembly which comprises a housing which houses a spool to which the first end portion of the longitudinal member is coupled. Typically, the longitudinal member is coupled to, e.g., knotted to or looped through, the spool such that the longitudinal member defines a first end portion thereof that is coupled to the spool and at least one free end of the longitudinal member. The housing of the adjusting mechanism is coupled to a tissue anchor which facilitates implantation of the adjusting mechanism in a first portion of tissue of the heart which faces and surrounds the ventriclular lumen, e.g., a papillary muscle or a first portion of a ventricular wall of the heart. Following implantation of the adjusting mechanism at the implantation site, the operating physician couples (e.g., ties, sutures, clips, or otherwise fastens) the free end of the longitudinal member to a second portion of tissue which faces and surrounds the ventricle, e.g., a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve or a second portion of the ventricular wall.

Once the free end of the longitudinal member is coupled to the second portion of tissue of the heart that faces and surrounds the ventricle, the operating physician rotates the spool in order to adjust a length of the longitudinal member. During the rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof, tie longitudinal member is wound around the spool thereby shortening and tensioning the longitudinal member. Responsively, the ends of the longitudinal member coupled to the second portion of heart tissue, and consequently the second portion of tissue, are pulled toward the adjusting mechanism at the implantation site. Thus, for embodiments in which the repair chord functions as an artificial chordae tendineae, the longitudinal member replaces slackened native chordae tendineae and restores normal function to the atrioventricular valve.

The adjusting mechanism comprises a reversible locking mechanism which facilitates bidirectional rotation of the spool in order to effect both tensioning and relaxing of the longitudinal member. That is, the spool is wound in one direction in order to tighten the longitudinal member, and in an opposite direction in order to slacken the longitudinal member. Thus, the spool adjusting mechanism facilitates bidirectional adjustment of the repair chord.

The delivery tool comprises a handle and a multilumen shaft that is coupled at a distal end thereof to the adjusting mechanism. The delivery tool functions to advance the adjusting mechanism to the implantation site, implant the adjusting mechanism at the implantation site, and effect adjustment of the repair chord by effecting rotation of the spool. The multilumen shaft defines a primary lumen which houses an elongate torque-delivering tool and is slidable with respect to a shaft of the elongate torque-delivering tool. For embodiments in which the repair chord functions as artificial chordae tendineae, prior to implantation of the adjusting mechanism, the distal portion of the delivery tool and the adjusting mechanism coupled thereto are advanced between the leaflets of the atrioventricular valve and into the ventricle toward the implantation site. During the implantation of the adjusting mechanism, the multilumen shaft is disposed around the portion of the torque-delivering tool that is positioned in the ventricle. Prior to the subsequent rotation of the spool, the multilumen shaft is pulled proximally with respect to the torque-delivering tool that is left in place during the pulling. The multilumen shaft is pulled such that a distal end thereof is disposed proximal to the valve and in the atrium.

The incision made in the heart is then closed around the delivery tool and the heart resumes its normal function during the adjustment of the length of the artificial chordae. The retracting of the multilumen shaft reduces a diameter of the delivery tool at the portion thereof that is disposed between the leaflets of the valve. Such reducing of the diameter reduces the interference of the portion of the delivery tool on the beating heart valve and the adjustment of the artificial chordae is performed with minimal interference to the valve by the delivery tool.

In some embodiments, apparatus and method described herein may be used for providing artificial chordae tendineae in a left ventricle of the heart and effecting adjustment thereof. In some embodiments, apparatus and method described herein may be used for providing artificial chordae tendineae in a right ventricle of the heart and effecting adjustment thereof. In some embodiments, apparatus and method described herein may be used for providing a system to adjust a length between two portions of the heart wall.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method, including:

implanting, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member; and

coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle.

In an embodiment, the method includes transcatheterally advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site.

In an embodiment, the method includes advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site during an open-heart procedure.

In an embodiment, the method includes advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site during a minimally-invasive procedure.

In an embodiment, coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve of the patient.

In an embodiment, implanting the spool in the intraventricular site includes suturing the spool to the intraventricular site.

In an embodiment, the spool is coupled to a tissue anchor, and implanting the spool in the intraventricular site includes implanting the tissue anchor in tissue of the ventricle in a manner in which a distal end of the tissue anchor is disposed within the tissue of the ventricle and does not extend beyond a pericardium of a heart of the patient.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool includes implanting the spool at a first portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a second portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen, and

the method further includes:

-   -   rotating the spool in a first direction thereof,     -   by the rotating of the spool, winding a portion of the         longitudinal member around the spool,     -   by the winding of the portion, shortening a length of the         longitudinal member, and     -   by the shortening of the length of the longitudinal member,         drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue         facing the ventricular lumen of the patient.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a papillary muscle of a left ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a mitral valve of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the leaflet toward the papillary muscle.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a papillary muscle of a right ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the leaflet toward the papillary muscle.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a first portion of tissue of an inner wall of a left ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a mitral valve of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the leaflet toward the first portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a first portion of an inner wall of a right ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the leaflet toward the first portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a first portion of an inner wall of the ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a second portion of the inner wall of the ventricle of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the first and second portions of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle toward each other.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue includes implanting the spool at a papillary of the ventricle of the patient,

coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of an inner wall of the ventricle of the patient, and

drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen includes drawing the papillary muscle and the portion of tissue -of the inner wall of the ventricle toward each other.

In an embodiment, implanting the spool coupled to the first end portion of the longitudinal member includes implanting a spool coupled to at least first and second longitudinal members at respective first end portions thereof, each longitudinal member having respective second end portions thereof, and the method further includes:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first portion of heart tissue facing the ventricular lumen,

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second portion of heart tissue facing the ventricular lumen, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other.

In an embodiment, implanting the spool includes implanting the spool at a papillary muscle.

In an embodiment, implanting the spool includes implanting the spool at a portion of tissue of an inner wall of the ventricle facing the ventricular lumen.

In an embodiment:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first portion of an inner wall of the ventricle,

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second portion of an inner wall of the ventricle, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other includes drawing together the first and second portions of the inner wall of the ventricle.

In an embodiment:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a portion of an inner wall of the ventricle,

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a papillary muscle of the ventricle, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other includes drawing the portion of the inner wall of the ventricle and the papillary muscle toward each other.

In an embodiment:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve,

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a papillary muscle of the ventricle, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other includes drawing the leaflet and the papillary muscle toward each other.

In an embodiment:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve,

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a portion of an inner wall of the ventricle, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other includes drawing the leaflet and the portion of the inner wall toward each other.

In an embodiment:

coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first leaflet of an atrioventricular valve,.

coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue includes coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second leaflet of the atrioventricular valve, and

drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other includes drawing the first and second leaflets toward each other.

In an embodiment, the method includes advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site by advancing a portion of a delivery tool that is reversibly coupled to the spool between leaflets of an atrioventricular valve having at least first and second leaflets thereof, and implanting the spool at the intraventricular site includes manipulating the delivery tool to implant the spool at the intraventricular site.

In an embodiment, the method includes:

following the implanting of the spool:

-   -   decoupling the delivery tool from the spool,     -   removing the delivery tool from the ventricle, and     -   subsequently to the removing, accessing the spool at the         intraventricular site.

In an embodiment, accessing the spool includes recoupling the delivery tool to the spool by advancing the delivery tool along at least one guide wire coupled to the spool.

In an embodiment, accessing the spool comprises coupling a torque-delivering-tool to the spool by advancing the torque-delivering-tool through an elongate tube coupled at a first end thereof to the spool and at second end thereof to a portion of subcutaneous tissue of the patient.

In an embodiment, the method includes:

following the coupling of the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen:

-   -   sliding a shaft of the delivery tool with respect to a         torque-delivering tool of the delivery tool, and sliding a         proximal portion of the shaft into a lumen of a handle portion         of the delivery tool; and     -   subsequently to the sliding, rotating the spool in the first         direction thereof.

In an embodiment, sliding the shaft includes:

sliding the shaft until a distal portion of the shaft is disposed proximally to the atrioventricular valve, and

responsively, reducing a diameter of the portion of the delivery tool disposed between the leaflets of the valve.

In an embodiment, reducing the diameter of the portion of the delivery tool disposed between the leaflets of the valve includes reducing the diameter to between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm.

In an embodiment:

implanting the spool includes implanting:

-   -   a spool coupled to a mechanical locking element having a surface         coupled to the lower surface of the rotatable structure, and the         method further includes:     -   advancing an elongate tool through a channel provided by the         spool;     -   unlocking the spool from the mechanical locking element by         pushing a depressible portion of the surface of the locking         element;     -   responsively to the pushing of the depressible portion,         dislodging a protrusion protruding out of a plane of the surface         of the mechanical element from within a recess defined by the         spool; and     -   rotating the spool.

In an embodiment:

during a first period:

-   -   in response to the pushing of the elongate tool, maintaining the         protrusion in a position in which it is dislodged from the         recess, and     -   rotating the spool;

during a second period:

-   -   removing the elongate tool from within the channel and         facilitating positioning of the protrusion in the recess, and     -   restricting rotation of the spool.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus, including:

a delivery tool including:

-   -   a handle portion defining a handle lumen; and     -   a shaft (a) being slidable with respect to the handle, and (b)         having a proximal portion thereof being slidable into the handle         lumen during proximal sliding of the shaft;

a spool reversibly couplable to the distal end of the delivery tool and configured to be implanted in an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient; and

a longitudinal member having opposite first and second end portions thereof, the first portion being coupled to the spool and the second end portion configured to be coupled to a first portion of heart tissue that surrounds a ventricular space of the ventricle of the patient, the longitudinal member:

-   -   in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction         thereof, configured to be wound around the spool, and,         responsively, to draw the second end portion of the longitudinal         member and the first portion of heart tissue toward the first         end portion of the longitudinal member.

In an embodiment, the shaft is shaped to provide at least one secondary lumen configured for housing a section of the longitudinal member that is between the first and second end portions thereof.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal member includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the longitudinal member is shaped to define a coil, and the coil is configured to apply a tensioning force to the first portion of heart tissue.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal member is coated with polytetrafiuoroethylene.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes, a locking mechanism coupled to the implant structure and configured to restrict rotation of the spool.

In an embodiment:

the apparatus includes include at least first and second longitudinal members having respective first and second end portions thereof,

-   -   the first end portions of the first and second longitudinal         members are coupled to the spool,     -   the second end portion of the first longitudinal member is         configured to be coupled to a leaflet of an atrioventricular         valve,     -   the second end portion of the second longitudinal member is         configured to be coupled to a portion of tissue of an inner wall         of the ventricle, and     -   in response to rotation of the spool, the first and second         longitudinal members are tightened and pull the leaflet toward         the portion of tissue of the inner wall.

In an embodiment:

the apparatus includes include at least first and second longitudinal members having respective first and second end portions thereof,

the first end portions of the first and second longitudinal members are coupled to the spool,

the second end portion of the first longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the leaflet of the valve,

the second end portion of the second longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to a papillary muscle of the ventricle, and

in response to rotation of the spool, the first and second longitudinal members are tightened and pull the leaflet toward the papillary muscle.

In an embodiment:

the apparatus includes include at least first and second longitudinal members having respective first and second end portions thereof,

the first end portions of the first and second longitudinal members are coupled to the spool,

the second end portion of the first longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to a first portion of tissue of an inner wall of the ventricle,

the second end portion of the second longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to a second portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle, and

in response to rotation of the spool, the first and second longitudinal members are tightened and pull the first and second portions of tissue of the inner wall toward each other.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an elongate tube coupled at a first end to the spool and at a second end thereof to subcutaneous tissue of the patient, the elongate tube is configured to facilitate accessing of a torque-delivering-tool to the spool following (a) the implantation of the spool at the intraventricular site and (b) subsequent removal of the delivery tool.

In an embodiment, the spool is configured to be coupled to a second portion of heart tissue that surrounds the ventricular space, and, in response to the rotation of the spool, the longitudinal member is configured to draw the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes a first portion of an inner wall of the ventricle,

the second end portion of the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the first portion of the inner wall of the ventricle, and

in response to the rotation of the spool, the longitudinal member is configured to draw the first portion of the inner wall of the ventricle toward the second portion of heart tissue.

In an embodiment:

the second portion of heart tissue includes a papillary muscle of the ventricle,

the spool is configured to be coupled to the papillary muscle, and

in response to the rotation of the spool, the longitudinal member is configured to draw the first portion of the inner wall of the ventricle toward the papillary muscle.

In an embodiment:

the second portion of heart tissue includes a second portion of the inner wall of the ventricle,

the spool is configured to be coupled to the second portion of the inner wall of the ventricle, and

in response to the rotation of the spool, the longitudinal member is configured to draw the first and second portions of the inner wall of the ventricle toward each other.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes a leaflet of a mitral valve of the patient,

the second end portion of the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the leaflet of the mitral valve of the patient,

the second portion of heart tissue includes tissue of a papillary muscle of a left ventricle,

the spool is configured to be implanted in the tissue of the papillary muscle of the left ventricle, and

the spool is configured to adjust a length of the longitudinal member between the papillary muscle and the leaflet of the mitral valve.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes a leaflet of a mitral valve of the patient,

the second end portion of the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the leaflet of the mitral valve of the patient,

the second portion of heart tissue includes a second portion of an inner wall of a left ventricle,

the spool is configured to be coupled to the second portion of the inner wall of the left ventricle, and

the spool is configured to adjust a length of the longitudinal member between the second portion of the inner wall and the leaflet of the mitral valve.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of the patient,

the second end portion of the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the leaflet of the tricuspid valve of the patient,

the second portion of heart tissue includes tissue of a papillary muscle of a right ventricle,

the spool is configured to be implanted in the tissue of the papillary muscle of the right ventricle, and

the spool is configured to adjust a length of the longitudinal member between the papillary muscle and the leaflet of the tricuspid valve.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of the patient,

the second end portion of the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the leaflet of the tricuspid valve of the patient,

the second portion of heart tissue includes a second portion of an inner wall of a right ventricle,

the spool is configured to be coupled to the second portion of the inner wall of the right ventricle, and

the spool is configured to adjust a length of the longitudinal member between the second portion of the inner wall and the leaflet of the tricuspid valve.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one guide wire coupled to the spool, and, subsequently to the implantation of the spool, the delivery tool is configured to be:

decoupled from the spool and removed from the ventricle, and

advanceable along the guide wire.

In an embodiment, the guide wire is configured to facilitate access of a torque-delivering-tool to the spool following the implantation of the spool at the intraventricular site.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a torque-delivering-tool, and:

the shaft is shaped to define at least a primary lumen,

the torque-delivering-tool is disposed in the primary lumen and is coupled at a proximal end thereof to the handle, and

the shaft is slidable with respect to the torque-delivering-tool.

In an embodiment, the delivery tool is configured to be advanceable between leaflets of an atrioventricular valve of the patient, and the shaft is slidable with respect to the torque-delivering-tool in a manner that reduces a diameter of a portion of the delivery tool that is disposed between the leaflets of the valve.

In an embodiment, the handle lumen has a handle-lumen-length of between 50 mm and 100 mm, and the shaft is slidable in a first direction thereof to advance the proximal portion thereof into the lumen of the delivery tool.

In an embodiment, the distal portion of the torque-delivering tool is configured to be positioned within the ventricular space of the heart and defines a torque-delivering-tool-length at the distal portion of between 50 mm and 100 mm, and a ratio of the handle-lumen-length and the torque-delivering-tool-length at the distal portion is between 0.7:1 and 1.3:1.

In an embodiment:

the first portion of heart tissue includes an atrioventricular valve having at least first and second leaflets thereof,

the apparatus includes include at least first and second longitudinal members having respective first and second end portions thereof,

the first end portions of the first and second longitudinal members are coupled to the spool,

the second end portion of the first longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the first leaflet of the valve,

the second end portion of the second longitudinal member is configured to be coupled to the second leaflet of the valve, and

in response to rotation of the spool, the first and second longitudinal members are tightened and pull on the respective second end portions thereof toward the spool.

In an embodiment, in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof, the respective first end portions of the first and second longitudinal members are configured to be wound around the spool, and, responsively, to pull the respective second end portions of the first and second longitudinal members toward the spool, and responsively to draw the first and second leaflets toward each other.

In an embodiment:

the spool has a first end shaped to define a first opening, and a second end shaped to define a second opening, the spool being shaped to define a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, the channel being configured for passage therethrough of an elongate rotation tool, and

the second end of the spool has a lower surface thereof shaped to:

-   -   provide at least a portion thereof having a circumference, and     -   define one or more recesses at locations along the         circumference.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanical element having a surface coupled to the lower surface of the spool, the mechanical element being shaped to provide:

-   -   a protrusion protruding out of a plane of the surface of the         mechanical element, the protrusion being disposed within one of         the recesses during a resting state of the mechanical element,         in a manner that restricts rotation of the spool, and     -   a depressible portion coupled to the protrusion, the depressible         portion being disposed in communication with the second opening         of the lower surface, and configured to dislodge the protrusion         from within the recess in response to a force applied thereto by         the elongate tool.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing surrounding the spool, the housing being coupled in part to a cap having a surface that is disposed in parallel with the lower surface of the spool, and the depressible portion is disposed between the lower surface of the rotatable structure and the cap.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing surrounding the spool, the housing being shaped to define a recessed portion thereof configured to receive the protrusion during the resting state of the mechanical element.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a torque-delivering-tool disposed within a primary lumen of the shaft, the torque-delivering tool is coupled at a distal end thereof to the elongate rotation tool, and the torque-delivering tool is configured to facilitate rotation of the spool by facilitating rotation of the elongate tool.

In an embodiment:

during a first period:

-   -   the torque-delivering-tool is configured to maintain the         protrusion in a position in which it is dislodged from the         recess, and     -   the torque-delivering-tool is configured to rotate the spool,         and during a second period:

the torque-delivering-tool is configured to remove the elongate tool from the channel and to position the protrusion in the recess, and

the spool is restricted from being rotated.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus, including:

a rotatable structure having a first end shaped to define a first opening, and a second end shaped to define a second opening, the rotatable structure being shaped to define a channel extending from the first opening to the second opening, the channel being configured for passage therethrough of an elongate tool, and the second end of the structure having a lower surface thereof shaped to:

-   -   provide at least a portion thereof having a circumference, and     -   define one or more recesses at locations along the         circumference; and

a mechanical element having a surface coupled to the lower surface of the rotatable structure, the mechanical element being shaped to provide:

a protrusion protruding out of a plane of the surface of the mechanical element, the protrusion being disposed within one of the recesses during a resting state of the mechanical element, in a manner that restricts rotation of the rotatable structure, and

a depressible portion coupled to the protrusion, the depressible portion being disposed in communication with the second opening of the lower surface, and configured to dislodge the protrusion from within the recess in response to a force applied thereto by the elongate tool.

In an embodiment:

during a first period:

-   -   the elongate tool is configured to maintain the protrusion in a         position in which it is dislodged from the recess, and     -   the elongate tool is configured to rotate the rotatable         structure, and during a second period:     -   the elongate tool is configured to remove the elongate tool from         the channel and to position the protrusion in the recess, and     -   the rotatable structure is restricted from being rotated.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing surrounding the rotatable structure, the housing being coupled in part to a cap having a surface that is disposed in parallel with the lower surface of the rotatable structure, and the depressible portion is disposed between the lower surface of the rotatable structure and the cap.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing surrounding the rotatable structure, the housing being shaped to define a recessed portion thereof configured to receive the protrusion during the resting state of the mechanical element.

In an embodiment, the rotatable structure includes a spool, and the apparatus further includes a longitudinal member configured to be coupled at at least a first end portion thereof to the spool and to be wrapped around the spool in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof.

In an embodiment

during a first period:

-   -   the elongate tool is configured to maintain the protrusion in a         position in which it is dislodged from the recess, and     -   the elongate tool is configured to rotate the spool, and during         a second period:     -   the elongate tool is configured to remove the elongate tool from         the channel and to position the protrusion in the recess, and     -   the spool is restricted from being rotated.

In an embodiment:

the spool is configured for implantation in a first portion of heart tissue that defines a ventricular lumen of the ventricle of a patient,

the longitudinal member is configured to be coupled at a second end portion thereof to a second portion of heart tissue that defines a ventricular lumen of the ventricle of the patent, and

in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof, the longitudinal member is configured to be wound around the spool, and, responsively, to shorten a distance between the second end portion of the longitudinal member and the spool.

There is yet additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method, including:

providing a rotatable structure coupled to a mechanical locking element having a surface coupled to the lower surface of the rotatable structure;

implanting the rotatable structure in cardiac tissue;

advancing an elongate tool through a channel provided by the rotatable structure;

unlocking the rotatable structure from the mechanical locking element by pushing a depressible portion of the surface of the locking element;

responsively to the pushing of the depressible portion, dislodging a protrusion protruding out of a plane of the surface of the mechanical element from within a recess defined by the rotatable structure; and

rotating the rotatable structure.

In an embodiment:

during a first period:

-   -   in response to the pushing of the elongate tool, maintaining the         protrusion in a position in which it is dislodged from the         recess; and     -   rotating the rotating structure; and

during a second period:

-   -   removing the elongate tool from within the channel and         facilitating positioning of the protrusion in the recess; and     -   restricting rotation of the rotatable structure.

There is still further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an implant delivery tool, including:

an implant-coupling portion;

a handle portion;

an elongate delivery tool shaft coupled at a proximal end thereof to the handle portion and at a distal end thereof to the implant-coupling portion; and

a needle holder coupled along a portion of the shaft between the implant-coupling portion and the handle, the needle holder being shaped to define at least one slit for receiving a needle.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an implant structure including at least one longitudinal member coupled at a free end thereof to a needle.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal member extends along the shaft toward the needle holder, and the needle holder is shaped to provide a projection thereof configured for winding excess portions of the longitudinal member therearound.

In an embodiment, the handle portion is shaped to define a handle lumen, and a proximal portion of the shaft is configured for slidable advancement within the handle lumen of the handle portion.

In an embodiment, the handle lumen has a handle-lumen-length of between 50 mm and 100 mm, and the shaft is slidable in a first direction thereof to advance the proximal portion thereof into the lumen of the delivery tool.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention apparatus, including:

an intraventricular adjusting assembly configured to be implanted in an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient;

an elongate coupling tube coupled at a first end thereof to the intraventricular adjusting assembly and at second end thereof to a portion of subcutaneous tissue of the patient; and

an extracardiac tool configured to access the adjusting assembly from a site external to a body of the patient.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method, including:

implanting an adjusting assembly configured in an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient;

accessing the adjusting assembly by an extracardiac tool from a site external to a body of the patient by passing the tool through an elongate coupling tube that is coupled at a first end thereof to the intraventricular adjusting assembly and at second end thereof to a portion of subcutaneous tissue of the patient.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of respective portions of a delivery tool system for implanting and adjusting repair chords, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the delivery tool system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a spool assembly coupled to a distal end of the delivery tool of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-C are schematic illustrations of respective components of an adjusting mechanism of the spool assembly of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-G are schematic illustrations of a procedure for using the delivery tool to implant the spool assembly at a papillary muscle and adjust the repair chords, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a port mechanism being coupled to the spool assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the spool assembly and the repair chords, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the adjusting mechanism being implanted at a portion of a ventricular wall, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9, 10A-B, and 11 are schematic illustrations of the repair chords used to draw portions of a ventricular wall toward each other, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 12A-B are schematic illustrations of the repair chords used to draw together leaflets of an atrioventricular valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-2, which are schematic illustrations of a system 10 comprising apparatus for implanting and adjusting repair chords in a heart of a patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the respective components of system 10 showing the relationship between the components. System 10 comprises a delivery tool 20 having a proximal handle portion 24 and an elongate multilumen shaft 22. System 10 comprises an implant structure comprising a spool assembly 240 that is reversibly couplable to a distal portion of delivery tool 20. Spool assembly 240 comprises an adjusting mechanism 40 that is coupled to a tissue anchor 50. Tissue anchor 50 is shown as a helical anchor by way of illustration and not limitation, and may comprise staples, clips, spring-loaded anchors, or other tissue anchors known in the art. Alternatively, spool assembly 240 does not include tissue anchor 50 and is, instead, sutured to a portion of tissue of a ventricle wall which faces a ventricular lumen of a heart of a patient.

Shaft 22 comprises a multilumen shaft defining a primary lumen surrounding a torque-delivering-tool 26 which is surrounded by an overtube 90 (as shown in the transverse cross-section of tool 22 in FIG. 2). Torque-delivering-tool 26 is coupled at a proximal end thereof to a rotating structure 32 that is coupled to handle 24 and, in response to rotation thereof, functions to deliver torque to torque-delivering-tool 26. Torque-delivering-tool 26 rotates in response to rotation of rotating structure 32 and delivers torque to adjusting mechanism 40 coupled to the distal end of tool 20. (In this context, in the specification and in the claims, “proximal” means closer to the orifice through which tool 20 is originally placed into the body of the subject, and “distal” means further from this orifice.)

FIG. 2 shows delivery tool 20 in its assembled state comprising longitudinal members 60 and 62 which function as the repair chords that are ultimately implanted in the heart of the patient. Respective first end portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled to a spool that is housed within a spool housing 42 of spool assembly 240. Thus, the implant structure comprises spool assembly 240 and longitudinal members 60 and 62. Each longitudinal member 60 and 62 has a free end that is coupled to a respective suture needle 64. The pointed tips of each needle 64 are disposed within a respective slit 72 of a needle holder 70. Each longitudinal member 60 and 62 extends from its first portions thereof, through a respective secondary lumen 192 of multilumen shaft 22 (as shown in the transverse cross-section of shaft 22) toward needle holder 70. Needle holder 70 is shaped to provide knobs 170 for looping portions of each longitudinal member 60 and 62 therearound. During delivery of spool assembly 240 to the implantation site in the ventricle of the patient, portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are wound around knobs 170 of needle holder 70 and needles 64 are disposed within slits 72 of needle holder 70 so as to facilitate a traumatic delivery of spool assembly 240 to the implantation site. During the implantation of longitudinal members 60 and 62 in the heart of the patient, needles 64 are extracted from slits 72, and longitudinal members 60 and 62 are unwound from knobs 170. Unwinding longitudinal members 60 and 62 extends longitudinal members 60 and 62 and provides-the operating physician with enough slack to suture respective portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 to heart tissue (e.g., a valve leaflet or a portion of the ventricle wall) that faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen of the heart.

Typically, longitudinal members 60 and 62 comprise a flexible and/or superelastic material, e.g., ePTFE, nitinol, PTFE, polyester, stainless steel, or cobalt chrome. In some embodiments, longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or with PTFE. In some embodiments, longitudinal members 60 and 62 comprise at least one wire/suture portion and at least one portion that comprises an elongate tensioning coil. For example, longitudinal members 60 and 62 may comprise an elongate coil between two wire/suture portions.

Shaft 22 defines longitudinal slits 122 that run parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of tool 20. Once longitudinal members 60 and 62 are unwound from knobs 170, they are pulled from within lumens 192, via slits 122, and away from the longitudinal axis of tool 20 in order to release longitudinal members 60 and 62 from within shaft 22.

A distal portion of delivery tool 20 comprises a screwdriver housing 28 which houses a screwdriver tool, as is described hereinbelow. Housing 28 is shaped to define graspers 30 which reversibly grasp housing 42 of adjusting mechanism 40 of spool assembly 240. Graspers 30 have a tendency to compress toward one another, and thus are clamped around housing 42. As shown in the enlarged distal portion of tool 22, longitudinal members 60 and 62 emerge from within housing 42. The spool disposed within housing 42 is not shown for clarity of illustration; however, it is to be noted that respective portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled to the spool. One or more (e.g., a pair, as shown) of guide wires 160 and 162 are (1) coupled at respective first ends thereof to housing 42 and extend (2) through respective proximal openings 29 in screwdriver housing 28, (3) through respective secondary lumens 194 of multilumen shaft 22 (as shown in the transverse cross-section of shaft 22), and (4) are coupled at respective second ends thereof to handle portion 24.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional image of a distal portion of tool 20 and spool assembly 240 that is coupled to delivery tool 20 via graspers 30 of screwdriver housing 28, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Spool assembly 240 comprises an adjusting mechanism 40 that is coupled to, e.g., welded to, a helical tissue anchor 50. Adjusting mechanism 40 comprises a housing 42 which houses a rotatable structure, or a spool 46. Spool 46 has a cylindrical body that is disposed in parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of tool 20 by way of illustration and not limitation. Respective portions 63 of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled to (e.g., welded to, knotted to, looped within, or otherwise fastened to) spool 46 at coupling sites 260 and 262, respectively.

Longitudinal members 60 and 62 extend externally to screwdriver housing 28 and through respective secondary lumens 192 of multilumen shaft 22. It is to be noted that although two longitudinal members 60 and 62 are shown as being coupled to spool 46, any suitable number of longitudinal members may be coupled to spool 46. In some embodiments, only one longitudinal member is coupled at a first end thereof to spool 46, and the second end of the longitudinal member is configured to be attached to heart tissue, e.g., a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve or a portion of the ventricular wall. For some applications, the one longitudinal member may be looped within spool 46 in a manner in which a middle portion thereof is looped within the spool and respective portions thereof extend from spool 46 along shaft 22 in their respective lumens 192. In such an embodiment, the one longitudinal member defines two free ends which are coupled to suture needles and are ultimately attached to, e.g., sutured to, heart tissue.

A distal end of shaft 22 is disposed proximally to a proximal end of screwdriver housing 28. As described hereinabove, torque-delivering-tool 26 and overtube 90 that surrounds torque-delivering-tool 26 are disposed within primary lumen 190 of shaft 22. Screwdriver housing 28 is shaped to define a primary lumen which receives a distal portion of torque-delivering-tool 26 and a distal portion of overtube 90. During delivery of spool assembly 240 to the implantation site in the ventricle, a distal end of overtube 90 is disposed within housing 28 proximally to a distal end of torque-delivering-tool 26. A distal portion of torque-delivering-tool 26 is disposed within a screwdriver head 95 that is disposed within housing 28. Screwdriver head 95 defined a recess for receiving the distal portion of torque-delivering-tool 26. Screwdriver head 95 is shaped to provide a spool-rotating portion 94 which fits within a channel defined by spool 46. Spool-rotating portion 94 is shaped in accordance with the shape of the channel defined by spool 46 such that rotation of torque-delivering-tool 26 delivers torque to and rotates screwdriver head 95. In response to the rotation of screwdriver head 95, spool-rotating portion 94 pushes against the wall of spool 46 that defines the channel extending therethrough, and responsively, spool 46 is rotated.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2-3. As shown in FIG. 2, guide wires 160 and 162 extend from spool housing 42 and through openings 29 defined in screwdriver housing 28. Since guide wires 160 and 162 are disposed within lumens of multilumen shaft 22 that are orthogonal with respect to lumens 192 (which surround longitudinal members 60 and 62), guide wires 160 and 162 are not shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, the openings 29 of screwdriver housing 28 are not shown in FIG. 3. It is to be noted that screwdriver housing is shaped to define a respective secondary lumen which surrounds each guide wire 160 and 162 and extend from spool housing 42 toward each proximal opening 29 in screwdriver housing 28. These secondary lumens run in parallel with respect to the primary lumen defined by housing 28 that surrounds torque-delivering-tool 26 and overtube 90.

FIG. 4A shows a relationship between individual components of adjusting mechanism 40, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Adjusting mechanism 40 is shown as comprising spool housing 42 which defines an upper surface 41 and a recessed portion 142. Spool 46 is configured to be disposed within housing 42 and defines an upper surface 150, a lower surface 152 and a cylindrical body portion disposed vertically between surfaces 150 and 152. Spool 46 is shaped to provide a driving interface, e.g., a channel 48, which extends from an opening provided by upper surface 150 to an opening provided by lower surface 152. Channel 48 of the driving interface is shaped to define a hexagonal channel or a channel having another shape. The cylindrical body portion of spool 46 is shaped to define holes 260 and 262 which function as respective coupling sites for coupling longitudinal members 60 and 62 to spool 46. In some embodiments, system 10 described herein comprises only one longitudinal member which is looped through spool 46 via holes 260 and 262.

Coupling sites 260 and 262 may be shaped to define holes, as shown, or slits through which respective portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are looped therethrough. In some embodiments, respective portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are looped through coupling sites 260 and 262 such that their ends are disposed within channel 48 of spool 46. The ends of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are knotted within channel 48 so as to fix the ends within channel 48 and prevent their release from spool 46. In some embodiments, coupling sites 260 and 262 are shaped to define male projections, e.g., knobs or hooks, around which respective portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are ensnared or looped and thereby coupled to spool 46.

Lower surface 152 of spool 46 is shaped to define one or more (e.g., a plurality, as shown) recesses 154 which define structural barrier portions 155 of lower surface 152. It is to be noted that any suitable number of recesses 154 may be provided, e.g., between 1 and 10 recesses, circumferentially with respect to lower surface 152 of spool 46.

A locking mechanism 45 is coupled to lower surface 152 and is coupled, e.g., welded, at least in part to a lower surface of spool housing 42. Typically, locking mechanism 45 defines a mechanical element having a planar surface that defines slits 58. It is to be noted that the surface of locking mechanism 45 may also be curved, and not planar. Locking mechanism 45 is shaped to provide a protrusion 156 which projects out of a plane defined by the planar surface of the mechanical element. Slits 58 define a depressible portion 128 of locking mechanism 45 that is disposed in communication with and extends toward protrusion 156. Depressible portion 128 is moveable in response to a force applied thereto typically by screwdriver head 95, as shown in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 4B-C.

It is to be noted that the planar, mechanical element of locking mechanism 45 is shown by way of illustration and not limitation and that any suitable mechanical element having or lacking a planar surface but shaped to define at least one protrusion may be used together with locking mechanism 45.

A cap 44 is provided that is shaped to define a planar surface and an annular wall having an upper surface 244 thereof. Upper surface 244 of the annular wall is coupled to, e.g., welded to, a lower surface provided by spool housing 42. The annular wall of cap 44 is shaped to define a recessed portion 144 of cap 44 that is in alignment with recessed portion 142 of spool housing 42.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4B-C which are schematic illustrations of adjusting mechanism 40 in respective locking states thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It is to be noted that longitudinal members 60 and 62 that are typically coupled to spool 46, are not shown for clarity of illustration. FIG. 4B shows adjusting mechanism 40 in an unlocked configuration in which protrusion 156 of locking mechanism 45 is disposed within recessed portion 144 of cap 44. FIG. 4C shows the locked state of spool 46 by the positioning of protrusion 156 within a recess 154 of spool 46.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 4B-C. FIG. 4B shows adjusting mechanism 40 in an unlocked state thereof, as shown in FIG. 3. During (1) the delivery of spool assembly 240 to the implantation site in a first portion of tissue defining the ventricular lumen of the patient, (2) the attachment of the longitudinal members to a second portion of heart tissue that faces surrounds the ventricular lumen of the patient, and (3) the subsequent rotation of spool 46 to adjust a length between the first and second portions of heart tissue, adjusting mechanism 40 is disposed in-an unlocked state, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B. As shown in FIG. 4C, spool 46 is shaped to provide a first opening 180 at upper surface 150 thereof and a second opening 182 at a lower surface 152 thereof. Spool 46 defines a channel 48 that extends from first opening 180 toward second opening 182.

FIGS. 3 and 4B show adjusting mechanism 40 in an unlocked state thereof in which screwdriver head 95 is disposed within channel 48 of spool 46. Screwdriver head 95 comprises an elongate body shaped to define a proximal generally cylindrical structure and spool-rotating portion 94 which fits within channel 48 defined by spool 46. Spool-rotating portion 94 is shaped to define a distal force applicator 93 which is disposed proximally to and in communication with depressible portion 128 of locking mechanism 45. In the unlocked state of adjusting mechanism 40, screwdriver head 95 is disposed with respect to housing 42 in a manner in which a distal end of force applicator 93 extends beyond second opening 182 of spool 46 and pushes against depressible portion 128 of locking mechanism 45. Depressible portion 128 is thus pushed downward, as shown.

Channel 48 of spool 46 is shaped to accommodate the dimensions of spool-rotating portion 94 and force application 93 of screwdriver head 95. Spool-rotating portion 94 has a width that is wider than the force applicator 93. In turn, channel 48 of spool 46 is shaped to accommodate spool-rotating portion 94 and force application 93 defining an upper portion and a lower portion thereof in which the upper portion of channel 48 is wider than the lower portion. The narrower lower portion of channel 48 ensures that force applicator 93 is not advanced distally beyond a certain point as the narrower lower portion of channel 48 restricts passage therethrough of the upper, wider portion of spool-rotating portion 94. Screwdriver head 95 is shaped to define a shelf portion 91 which rests against upper surface 41 of spool housing 42. Similarly, spool-rotating portion 94 is shaped to define a shelf portion 143 which rests against a horizontal wall of spool 46 which defines a portion of channel 48. During the unlocked state of adjusting mechanism 40, screwdriver head 95 is disposed in a manner in which shelf portion 91 thereof rests against upper surface 41 of spool housing 42, and shelf 143 of spool-rotating portion 94 rests against the horizontal wall of channel 48, as shown.

During the unlocked state of adjusting mechanism 40, depressible portion 128 is maintained in a pushed state by force applicator 93. In such a state, protrusion 156 of locking mechanism 45 is maintained in a pushed state toward the planar surface of cap 44. It is to be noted that the surface of cap 44 may also be curved, and not planar. As described hereinabove, cap 44 is shaped to provide a recessed portion 144 for receiving protrusion 156 in its pushed-down state. As depressible portion 128 is pushed downward, protrusion 156 is freed from within a recess 154 defined by structural barrier portions 155 of the lower portion of spool 46. Additionally, protrusion 156 is freed from within recessed portion 142 provided by spool housing 42. Responsively, adjusting mechanism 40 is unlocked, and spool 46 may be rotated by screwdriver head 95 in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions in response to torque delivered to head 95 by torque-delivering-tool 26 coupled thereto. In response to the torque, spool-rotating portion 94 of screwdriver head 95 engages and pushes against the wall defining channel 48 in order to rotate spool 46.

Cap 44 functions to restrict distal pushing of depressible portion 128 beyond a desired distance so as to inhibit deformation of locking mechanism 45. Once adjustment mechanism 40 is implanted in heart tissue, cap 44 also provides an interface between adjusting mechanism 40 and the heart tissue. This prevents interference of heart tissue on adjusting mechanism 40 during the locking and unlocking thereof. Additionally, cap 44 prevents damage to heart tissue by depressible portion 128 as it is pushed downward.

FIG. 4C shows adjusting mechanism 40 in a locked state thereof in which locking mechanism 45 is shown in a resting state thereof. In the resting state of locking mechanism 45, depressible portion 128 is disposed in a horizontal position (i.e., perpendicularly with respect to a longitudinal axis of channel 48) in response to removal of screwdriver head 95 from within channel 48 of spool 46. Depressible portion 128 has a tendency to assume the horizontal position, as shown, and in the absence of a downward pushing force applied lo depressible portion 128 by screwdriver head 95, depressible portion 128 returns to its horizontal position from its pushed-down state, as shown in FIG. 4B. In this horizontal position, protrusion 156 of locking mechanism 45 is removed from recessed portion 144 of cap 44 and is returned within a recess 154 of spool 46 and thereby restricts movement of spool 46 and locks adjusting mechanism 40. Additionally, protrusion 156 of locking mechanism 45 returns in part within recessed portion 142 of spool housing 42. Thus, recessed portion 142 of spool housing 42 provides supplemental locking of locking mechanism 45.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-G, which are schematic illustrations of a method for implantation of spool assembly 240 and longitudinal members 60 and 62 of system 10 in the heart of the patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows an open heart procedure in which an operating physician positioning tool 20 in a heart 2 of a patient and implanting spool assembly 240 in tissue of a papillary muscle 4 of the left ventricle of heart 2. FIG. 5A shows the general relative perspective of tool 20 with respect to heart 2. It is to be noted that FIGS. 5A-G are not drawn to scale in order to illustrate clearly the function of tool 20 in heart 2.

FIG. 5B shows a distal portion of tool 20 disposed within the left ventricle of heart 2. The operating physician advances a distal portion 71 of tool 20 between leaflets 12 and 14 of a mitral valve 8. Tool 20 is disposed with respect to heart 2 in a manner in which needle holder 70 is disposed outside of heart 2. As shown in the enlarged portion of needle holder 70, needle 64 of longitudinal member 60 is disposed within slit 72 of needle holder 70. Additionally, longitudinal member 60 is looped around knobs 170 of needle holder 70 such that knobs 170 gather excess portions of longitudinal member 60. Longitudinal member 60 emerges from within slit 122 defined by multilumen shaft 22 at a proximal opening 61 of slit 122. Longitudinal member 62 is also shown as emerging from within its respective-slit in shaft 22. The needle coupled to longitudinal member 62 is also housed within a slit provided by needle holder 70 (needle not shown for clarity of illustration).

Delivery tool 20 is rotated in order to corkscrew helical anchor 50 spool assembly 240 into tissue of papillary muscle 4 at an intraventricular implantation site 5. Spool assembly 240 is coupled to cardiac tissue in a manner in which spool housing 42 and spool 46 are disposed within the ventricular lumen at the intraventricular implantation site. Tissue anchor 50 is corkscrewed into the cardiac tissue in a manner in which it is disposed fully within the heart tissue, e.g., papillary muscle, endocardium, or myocardium, and does not extend beyond a pericardium of the heart. Papillary muscle 4 includes a portion of cardiac tissue which faces and surrounds the left ventricular lumen of heart 2. In response to rotation of tool 20, spool assembly 240 is implanted at a first implantation site 5. In the enlarged view of the distal portion of tool 20 and spool assembly 240, longitudinal members 60 and 62 (coupled to spool 46) and guide wires 160 and 162 (coupled to housing 42) are shown as emerging from housing 42 and are fed within their secondary respective lumens of multilumen shaft 22.

Guide wires 160 and 162 extend within their respective lumens 194 of shaft 22 and toward handle 24. Handle 24 is shaped to provide a handle lumen 23 thereof, as shown in the enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional image of handle 24 (section A-A). A guide wire grasper 250 is disposed within lumen 23 and is coupled to the proximal ends of each guide wire 160 and 162. Handle lumen 23 has a handle-lumen-length L1 of between 50 mm and 100 mm, e.g., 70 mm. A proximal end 25 of multilumen shaft 22 is disposed at a distal portion of lumen 23.

A proximal portion 241 of multilumen shaft 22 (i.e., the portion of shaft 22 that is disposed immediately distal to proximal end 25 of shaft 22) is configured to slide within lumen 23. Proximal portion 241 of shaft 22 slides within lumen 23 when the operating physician grasps shaft 22 and slides shaft 22 proximally. Proximal portion 241 of shaft 22 also has a shaft-length L2 such that proximal portion 241 fits within handle lumen 23, as is described hereinbelow. A guide 27 is coupled to proximal end 25 of shaft 22 and is advanced proximally within lumen 23 in response to proximal sliding of portion 241 of shaft 22 within lumen 23. Ultimately, in response to the sliding of proximal portion 241 of shaft 22 within lumen 23 of handle 24, distal portion 71 of shaft 22 slides proximally with respect to overtube 90 such that distal portion 71 is disposed entirely within the left atrium of the patient, i.e., not within the left ventricle (as shown in FIG. 5D).

As shown, following the proximal sliding of shaft 22, needle holder 70 is positioned proximally and adjacently to the distal end of handle 24.

Section B-B shows a transverse cross-section of delivery tool 22 at a distal portion of handle 24. Section B-B shows handle 24 which surrounds guide 27. Guide 27, in turn, surrounds a proximal end of multilumen shaft 22. Torque-delivering-tool 26 surrounded by overtube 90 are disposed within the primary lumen of shaft 22. As shown, guide members 160 and 162 are disposed within secondary lumens 194 of shaft 22. Secondary lumens 192 (which house longitudinal members 60 and 62 at the portion of tool between needle holder 70 and the distal end of shaft 22) are empty at handle 24 because longitudinal members 60 and 62 exit lumens 192 distally to needle holder 70.

As shown in Section A-A, handle 24 comprises a torque facilitator (e.g., a spring) 132 that is coupled to and surrounds a proximal portion of torque-delivering-tool 26. Torque-delivering-tool 26 extends proximally within handle 24 to rotating structure 32 at the proximal end of handle 24.

FIG. 5C shows the extracting of longitudinal members 60 and 62 from within their respective lumens 192 of shaft 22. Needles 64 are pulled from within slits 72 of needle holder 70. Then, longitudinal members 60 and 62 are unwound from knobs 170 of needle holder 70 and pulled away from the longitudinal axis of shaft 22 along slits 122 of shaft 22. Following the extracting of longitudinal members 60 and 62 from their respective lumens 192, needles 64 are held outside heart 2 so as not to puncture tissue of the heart. The free ends of longitudinal members 60 and 62, which are coupled to needles 64 are then sutured to leaflet 12 at a second implantation site 7 at a portion of heart tissue which faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen of heart 2.

FIG. 5D shows longitudinal members 60 and 62 coupled to leaflet 12 at second implantation site 7. Longitudinal members 60 and 62 are knotted together using suture knots 67, and excess portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are cut away from knot 67. It is to be noted that although knot 67 is used to couple longitudinal members 60 and 62 to leaflet 12, any suitable anchor may be used. For example, longitudinal member 60 may comprise a male clip at its free end and longitudinal member 62 may comprise a female clip at its free end. In such an embodiment, longitudinal members 60 and 62 are clipped at their free ends to leaflet 12.

Following the coupling of longitudinal members 60 and 62 to leaflet 12, shaft 22 is slid proximally to expose a portion of overtube 90 and torque-delivering-tool 26. During the proximal sliding of shaft 22, proximal portion 241 of shaft 22 is slid within lumen 23 of handle 24. Handle-lumen-length L1 of lumen 23 of handle 24 is long enough to accommodate shaft-length L2 of proximal portion 241 of shaft 22. In response to the sliding of shaft 22, the distal portion of the exposed overtube 90 and torque-delivering-tool 26 defines a torque-delivering-tool-length L3 at a distal portion thereof that is equal to shaft-length L2 of proximal portion 241 of shaft 22. Thus, handle-lumen-length L1, shaft-length L2 at proximal portion 241 of shaft 22, and torque-delivering-tool-length L3 at the distal portion thereof are equal and have a ratio of between 0.7:1 and 1.3:1.

Shaft-length L2 of proximal portion 241 of shaft 22 is such that when portion 241 slides within lumen 23 of handle 24 as shaft 22 is slid proximally along overtube 90, a distal-most end 65 of shaft 22 is disposed proximally to mitral valve 8 (i.e. distal-most end 65 of shaft 22 is disposed in the left atrium of heart 2). Typically, multilumen shaft 22 has a diameter of between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, typically, 3 mm, and overtube 90 has a diameter of between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm, typically, 1.5 mm. Sliding of shaft 22 to position distal-most end 65 of shaft 22 in the left atrium, thus reduces the diameter of tool 20 between leaflets 12 and 14 of valve 8.

Following the sliding, the incision is closed around tool 20 using a purse string stitch, for example. The patient is removed from the cardiopulmonary bypass pump and heart 2 is allowed to resume its normal function. While heart 2 is beating, spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 may then be rotated in order to adjust a length of longitudinal members 60 and 62, and responsively, a distance between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7 is adjusted. The adjustment of longitudinal members is typically performed with the aid of imaging, such as fluoroscopy, transesophageal echo, and/or echocardiography.

Sliding of shaft 22 thus reduces the diameter of the portion of tool 20 that is disposed between leaflets 12 and 14, and thus, reduces interference of tool 20 on the beating of valve 8 as longitudinal members 60 and 62 are adjusted.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 5E. FIG. 5E shows the adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62 by adjusting mechanism 40 and delivery tool 20. During the adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62, locking mechanism 45 of adjustment mechanism 40 is disposed in an unlocked state with respect to spool 46 (as shown in FIG. 3). Rotating structure 32 is rotated in a first direction thereof, as indicated by arrow A. In response to the rotation of structure 32, torque-delivering-tool 26 is rotated. Responsively, screwdriver head 95 that is coupled to the distal end of torque-delivering-tool 26 is rotated and spool-rotating portion 94 pushes against the wall defining channel 48 of spool 46. Such pushing applies an annular force to the spool which facilitates rotation of spool 46 in a first direction thereof.

In response to the rotation of spool 46 in the first direction, as indicated by arrow A, respective first portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are wrapped around spool 46, as shown in the enlarged cross-sectional image of adjusting mechanism 40. As longitudinal members 60 and 62 are wrapped around spool 46, respective second portions of members 60 and 62 (i.e., the portions which are coupled to second implantation site 7) are pulled toward adjusting mechanism 40 implanted at first implantation site 5. This draws the second portions of longitudinal member 60 and 62 and leaflet 12 toward the first portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 that are wrapped around spool 46. Responsively, the respective lengths of longitudinal members 60 and 62 between the second portions thereof and spool 46 are shortened and longitudinal members 60 and 62 are tightened.

Since spool 46 is unlocked (as shown in FIG. 3), spool 46 may be rotated in a second direction that is opposite the direction used to tighten longitudinal members 60 and 62 (i.e., in the direction that is opposite that which is indicated by arrow A in FIG. 5E). Rotating spool 46 in the second direction unwinds longitudinal members 60 and 62 from around spool 46 and thereby elongates the portions of longitudinal members 60 and 62 between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7.

Overtube 90 comprises a tube which surrounds torque-delivering-tool 26. Since shaft 22 is retracted proximally (as shown) during the adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62, overtube 90 functions to provide rigidity and stability to torque-delivering-tool 26 as it delivers torque to spool 46. Overtube 90 comprises a flexible material, e.g., polyamide, ePTFE, or PTFE. In some embodiments, the material of overtube 90 is braided. For some applications, overtube 90 is coated with PTFE.

As shown in FIG. 5E, longitudinal members 60 and 62 are pulled tight from their relaxed state (shown in FIG. SD) in response to rotation facilitated by adjusting mechanism 40. Longitudinal members 60 and 62 are pulled until they resemble native chordae tendineae 6, and thus longitudinal members 60 and 62 function to replace the defective and stretched native chordae tendineae and restore normal functionality to heart valve 8.

Reference is again made to FIGS. 3 and 5E. FIG. 3 shows screwdriver head 95 being shaped to provide a horizontal shelf portion 91 which rests against upper surface 41 of spool housing 42. Similarly, spool-rotating portion 94 is shaped to define a shelf portion 143 which rests against a horizontal wall of spool 46 which defines a portion of channel 48. During the unlocked state of adjusting mechanism 40 (as shown in FIG. 3), screwdriver head 95 is disposed in a manner in which shelf portion 91 thereof rests against upper surface 41 of spool housing 42, and shelf 143 of spool-rotating portion 94 rests against the horizontal wall of channel 48, as shown.

Following the adjustment of the respective lengths of longitudinal members 60 and 62, delivery tool 20 is decoupled from spool assembly 240. The operating physician pushes on rotating structure 32, in the direction as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 5E. The proximal portion of handle 24 is shaped to define a recessed portion for receiving a distal portion of rotating structure 32 in response to the pushing thereof. Pushing on rotating structure 32 thereby pushes torque-delivering-tool 26 coupled thereto. Responsively, screwdriver head 95 that is coupled to torque-delivering-tool 26 is pushed distally. As screwdriver head 95 is pushed, shelf portion 91 pushes against upper surface 41 of housing 42 in order to facilitate pulling of tool 20 away from spool assembly 240. Responsively, screwdriver head 95 and graspers 30 are distanced from housing 42, as shown in he enlarged cross-sectional image of adjustment mechanism 40.

Graspers 30 are resiliently biased to angle inward and surround the curved outer wall of housing 42. Following the pushing of shelf portion 91 of screwdriver head 95 against upper surface 41 of housing 42, tool 20 is pulled proximally in the direction as indicated by arrow C in the enlarged image of spool assembly 240 and the distal portion of tool 20. During the pulling proximally of tool 240, the curved wall of housing 42 pushes against resilient graspers 30 in order to radially push graspers 30. Such pushing radially of graspers 30 helps further decouple tool 20 from spool assembly 240.

During the decoupling of tool 20 from spool assembly 46, spool-rotating portion 94 and distal force applicator 93 of screwdriver head 95 are pulled proximally such that the distal end of force applicator 93 is disposed proximally to and does not apply a pushing force to depressible portion 128 of locking mechanism 45. In the absence of the downward pushing force by screwdriver head 95, depressible portion 128 returns to its resting state, i.e., perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of channel 48. As depressible portion 128 returns to its resting state, protrusion 156 is introduced within one of the plurality of recesses 154 of lower surface 152 of spool 46 and thereby locks and restricts rotation of spool 46.

FIG. 5F shows delivery tool 20 being pulled away from heart 2 and ultimately outside of the body of the patient. Delivery tool 20 slides along guide wires 160 and 162 which pass through openings 29 in screwdriver housing 28 of tool 20. Guide wires 160 and 162 are left partially within heart 2 and provide an access to implantation site 5. Sliding of tool 20 along guide wires 160 and 162 frees heart 2 of any tool.

Once free of tool 20, the operating physician may then repair any other defect in the heart without any obstruction and interference by tool 20. In some cases, the operating physician introduces a second spool assembly 240 into another implantation site in the left ventricle and repairs another portion of heart 2. In some embodiments, the second spool assembly is implanted in a second papillary muscle of the ventricle and the longitudinal member(s) coupled thereto are coupled at their free ends to either leaflet 12 or 14. The longitudinal member(s) then function as secondary artificial chordae tendineae.

In some embodiments, the second spool assembly 240 is coupled to a first portion of the ventricle wall (i.e., and not to the papillary muscle) at the base of the papillary muscle, or at another portion of the ventricle wall which faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen of heart 2. In some embodiments, the free ends of the longitudinal member(s) coupled to the second spool assembly are coupled to either leaflet 12 or 14 (as shown hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 8). Alternatively, the free ends of the longitudinal member(s) are coupled to a second portion of the ventricle wall (as shown hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 10A-B) in order to draw the first and second portions the ventricle wall toward each other.

In either embodiment, guide wires 160 and 162 remain coupled to housing 42 during and following the initial procedure including the implantation of spool assembly and adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62. Guide wires 160 and 162 enable the operating physician to access implantation site 5 at any time during and after the initial procedure. During the initial implantation procedure delivery tool 20 may remain coupled to guide wires 160 and 162 and slide in and out of heart 2. The physician is able to slide tool 20 toward spool assembly 240 and facilitate supplemental rotation of spool 46 and adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62. Following the adjustment, tool 20 is slid out of heart 2 and is decoupled from guide wires 160 and 162.

FIG. 5G shows a multilumen guide tube 300 coupled at a distal end thereof to spool assembly 240. Guide tube 300 defines a primary lumen 302 and respective secondary lumens 304 which surround guide wires 160 and 162. Following the removal of tool 20, guide tube 300 is advanced toward implantation site 5 along guide wires 160 and 162. Guide tube 300 is advanced along guide wires 160 and 162 through an opening 330 in heart 2, and ultimately toward implantation site 5. A distal end of guide tube 300 is coupled to spool housing 42 of spool assembly 240, and a proximal end of guide tube 300 is coupled to a portion of subcutaneous tissue of the patient. A port 320 is coupled to a proximal end of guide tube 300 and is implanted subcutaneously beneath skin 310 of the patient typically in the vicinity of the ribcage. Port 320 projects slightly under skin 310 to create a bump 312.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of extracardiac apparatus comprising torque-delivering-tool 26 accessing spool assembly 240 via port 320, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The physician feels for bump 312 of skin 310 and creates a small incision in the tissue in order to access port 320. Torque-delivering-tool 26 is advanced through primary lumen 302 of guide tube 300 (as shown in the transverse cross-sectional image of guide tube 300) and accesses adjusting mechanism 40 of spool assembly 240 from a site outside the body of the patient.

The operating physician may access spool assembly 240 via port 320, at a later stage following initial implantation of assembly 240 in order to readjust longitudinal members 60 and 62. For example, in the event that longitudinal members 60 and 62 are loosened (as shown) and need to be tightened, spool assembly 240 may be accessed in order to tighten longitudinal members 60 and 62.

Torque-delivering-tool 26 is coupled at a distal end thereof to screwdriver head 95. Screwdriver head 95 accesses spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 and rotates spool 46 (in a manner as described hereinabove) in order to adjust longitudinal members 60 and 62. The readjustment procedure is typically performed with the aid of imaging, such as fluoroscopy, transesophageal echo, and/or echocardiography.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a schematic illustration of a system 400 for implanting spool assembly 240 and adjusting longitudinal members 60 and 62, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 5A-G, with the exception that guide wires 160 and 162 do not remain partially disposed within heart 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In such an embodiment, guide wires 160 and 162 are used only during the initial implantation of spool assembly 240 and adjustment of longitudinal members 60 and 62. Guide wires 160 and 162 in this embodiment, facilitate the removal of tool 20 from heart 2 and the replacement of tool 20 in heart 2 during the initial procedure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a system 500 for implanting spool assembly 240 and adjusting longitudinal members 60 and 62, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 5A-G, with the exception that spool assembly is implanted in a portion 200 of the heart wall of the ventricle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Portion 200 of the heart wall includes a portion of the wall which faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen of heart 2.

Tissue anchor 50 is corkscrewed into the cardiac tissue in a manner in which it is disposed fully within portion 200 of the heart tissue, e.g., endocardium or myocardium, and does not extend beyond a pericardium 202 of heart 2.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9, 10A-B, and 11 which are schematic illustrations of respective systems for repairing malpositioning of the wall of the ventricle of the patient, in accordance with respective embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of heart 2 in a weakened state in which the wall of the left ventricle is malpositioned and weakened. As a result, leaflets 12 and 14 of mitral valve 8 are malpositioned and are distanced from each other.

FIG. 10A shows system 600 comprising spool assembly 240 implanted at a first portion 420 of heart tissue which faces and surrounds the left ventricle of heart 2. First implantation site 5 thus comprises first portion 420 of heart tissue. Spool assembly 240 is implanted via tool 20 at site 5 in a manner as described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 5A-G. The free ends of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled to a second portion 422 of heart tissue which faces and surrounds the left ventricle of heart 2. Second implantation site 7 thus comprises second portion 422 of heart tissue, e.g., at the septum, by way of illustration and not limitation. The free ends of longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled to the heart tissue using any suitable attachment means 602, e.g., sutures, knotting, or tissue anchors such as helical anchors. Spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 is rotated by tool 20, as described hereinabove, thereby pulling tight longitudinal members 60 and 62 and thereby reducing a length of longitudinal members 60 and 62 between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7. In response to the pulling of longitudinal members 60 and 62, first and second portions 420 and 422 of the heart tissue are pulled toward each other. Consequently, the dimensions of the heart wall are restored to physiological dimensions, and leaflets 12 and 14 are drawn toward each other.

FIG. 10B shows system 700 for adjusting a distance between two portions of a heart wall of the left ventricle of the patient. Longitudinal members 60 and 62 are coupled at first portions thereof to spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40. Respective free ends of each member 60 and 62 are coupled to opposing first and second portions of the heart wall which faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen of heart 2. The free end of longitudinal member 62 is coupled to first implantation site 5 using a first helical anchor 750 by way of illustration and not limitation. For example, the free end of longitudinal member 62 is coupled to first implantation site 5 using sutures, knots, or any tissue anchor known in the art. The free end of longitudinal member 60 is coupled to second implantation site 7 using a second helical anchor 750 by way of illustration and not limitation. For example, the free end of longitudinal member 60 is coupled to second implantation site 7 using sutures, knots, or any tissue anchor known in the art. In such a configuration, adjustment mechanism 40 is disposed between longitudinal members 60 and 62 and is not directly coupled to heart tissue.

Following the attaching of longitudinal members 60 and 62 to implantation sites 5 and 7, respectively, spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 may be rotated using tool 20, in a manner as described hereinabove. As described hereinabove, using tool 20, spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 is rotated in order to adjust a distance between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7. Responsively, the first and second portions of the ventricle wall are drawn together. Consequently, the dimensions of the heart wall are restored to physiological dimensions, and leaflets 12 and 14 are drawn toward each other.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a system 800 for adjusting a distance between two portions of a heart wall of the left ventricle of the patient. System 800 comprises a tensioning device 802 coupled at a first end thereof to spool assembly 240. In a manner as described hereinabove, using tool 20, spool assembly 240 is implanted at first implantation site 5 in a first portion of tissue of the heart wall that faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen. The free end, i.e., second portion, of tensioning device 802 is attached at second implantation site 7 to a second portion of tissue of the heart wall that faces and surrounds the ventricular lumen. The free end of tensioning device 802 is implanted in heart tissue using a helical anchor by way of illustration and not limitation. For example, the free end of tensioning device 802 may be coupled to second implantation site 7 using sutures, knots, or any tissue anchor known in the art.

Tensioning device 802 comprises a flexible material, e.g., ePTFE or nitinol, and is shaped to define a coiled portion 806 that has a length of between 20 mm and 50 mm and a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm. Tensioning device 802 comprises wire/suture portions 804 on either side of coiled portion 806.

As described hereinabove, using tool 20, spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 is rotated in order to adjust a distance between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7. As spool 46 is rotated in a first direction thereof, suture portion 804 that is disposed adjacently to spool assembly 240 is wrapped around spool 46. Tensioning device 802 is tightened and shortened in response to the wrapping of portion 804 around spool 46. As device 802 is tightened, a force is applied to coiled portion 806 of tensioning device 802. Coiled portion 806 applies a supplemental pulling force to help pull the opposing first and second portions of the ventricle wall toward each other. Consequently, the dimensions of the heart wall are restored to physiological dimensions, and leaflets 12 and 14 are drawn toward each other.

Reference is again made to FIGS. 9-11. It is to be noted that the scope of the present invention includes the use of systems 600, 700, and 800 for adjusting a distance between any two portions of the heart and not just opposing portions, as described hereinabove. For example, first and second implantation sites 5 and 7 may be on the same side, e.g., the septum, of the wall of the heart.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12A-B which are schematic illustrations of a system 900 for drawing together leaflets 12 and 14 of a mitral valve of the patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Spool assembly 240 is implanted in first implantation site 5 at papillary muscle 4 of the left ventricle by way of illustration and not limitation. For example, spool assembly 240 may be implanted in a portion of the heart wall of the ventricle, e.g., the base of the papillary muscle. As described hereinabove respective first portions of each longitudinal member 60 and 62 are coupled to spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40. The free end, i.e., second portion, of longitudinal member 60 is coupled, e.g., sutured, anchored, clipped, locked in place with a crimping bead, to leaflet 12 at an implantation site 902. The free end, i.e., second portion, of longitudinal member 62 is coupled, e.g., sutured, anchored, clipped, locked in place with a crimping bead, to leaflet 14 at an implantation site 904.

As described hereinabove, using tool 20, spool 46 of adjustment mechanism 40 is rotated in order to adjust a length of longitudinal members 60 and 62. As shown in FIG. 12B, longitudinal members 60 and 62 are pulled tight in response to rotation of spool 46 in a first direction thereof. In response to the pulling of longitudinal members 60 and 62 leaflets 12 and 14 are pulled toward each other in order to restore coaptation to valve 8.

It is to be noted that system 900 may be used on the tricuspid valve.

In some embodiments, spool assembly 240 is coupled to first implantation site, e.g., papillary muscle 4, to the base of the papillary muscle, or to any suitable portion of heart tissue facing and surrounding the ventricle. In such an embodiment:

(1) the free end of longitudinal member 60 is coupled to, e.g., sutured to or anchored to, a second implantation site (e.g., another portion of the inner wall of the heart that faces and surrounds the ventricle),

(2) the free end of longitudinal member 62 is coupled to, e.g., sutured to or anchored to, a third implantation site (e.g., yet another portion of the inner wall of the heart that opposes the portion of tissue to which the free end of longitudinal member 60 is coupled), and

(3) rotation of spool 46 draws the first, second, and third implantation sites toward each other.

In some embodiments, system 900 may be used to provide adjustable artificial chordae tendineae as well as draw together portions of the inner wall of the ventricle, i.e., the portion of the heart tissue which surrounds and faces the ventricular lumen. In such an embodiment, longitudinal member 60 is coupled at a first end thereof to spool 46 and at a second end thereof to a leaflet of the atrioventricular valve. Longitudinal member 62 is coupled at a first end thereof to spool 46 and at a second end thereof to a portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle. As described hereinabove, spool assembly 240 is implanted at first implantation site 5 (e.g., papillary muscle 4, as shown, or any other suitable portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle). In response to rotation of spool 46 of adjustment mechanism, both the leaflet and the portion of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle are pulled toward spool assembly 240 at implantation site 5.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. It is to be noted that the shortening of longitudinal members 60 and 62 described herein is reversible. That is, rotating spool 46 in a rotational direction that opposes the rotational direction used to shorten the longitudinal members, unwinds respective portions of the longitudinal members from around spool 46. Unwinding the portion of the longitudinal members from around spool 46 thus slackens the remaining portions of the longitudinal members that are disposed between first and second implantation sites 5 and 7. Responsively, the longitudinal members are elongated (i.e., with respect to their shortened states state prior to the unwinding).

Reference is yet again made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. It is to be noted that following initial adjustment of the repair chords, the repair chords may be further adjusted at a later state following the initial implantation thereof. Using real-time monitoring, tactile feedback and optionally in combination with fluoroscopic imaging, tool 20 may be reintroduced within the heart and engage spool 46.

It is to be noted that systems 10, 400, 500, and 900 may be used as artificial chordae tendineae to replace stretched native chordae tendineae of a left ventricle or of a right ventricle. For some applications, spool assembly 240 is coupled to the papillary muscle. For such applications, spool assembly 240 is coupled to a portion of the wall of the ventricular lumen.

It is to be noted that systems 600, 700, and 800 may be may be used in order to repair malposition of portions of the wall of a left ventricle or of a right ventricle.

Reference is still yet again made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. It is to be noted that first implantation site 5 may be any portion of tissue that faces and surrounds the ventricle of the heart of the patient. For example, first implantation site 5 may include a first portion of tissue of an inner wall of the ventricle at the base of the papillary muscle or any other suitable location along the inner wall. First implantation site 5 may also include tissue of the papillary muscle. It is to be noted that second implantation site 7 may be any portion of tissue that faces and surrounds the ventricle of the heart of the patient. For example, second implantation site 7 may include a second portion of tissue of an inner wall of the ventricle at the septum, or any other suitable location along the inner wall. Second implantation site 7 may also include a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve of the heart of the patient.

Reference is still yet again made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. It is to be noted that systems described herein may be used to repair the heart during open-heart, minimally-invasive, and transcatheter procedures. For embodiments in which delivery tool 20 is introduced within the heart during minimally-invasive and transcatheter procedures, shaft 22, torque-delivering-tool 26, and overtube 90 are longer than as shown hereinabove. For such applications, suture needle 64 coupled to the longitudinal member is coupled to needle holder 70 of tool 20 in a manner in which needle 64 faces outward. In such a configuration, the piercing portion, e.g., a barbed portion, of needle 64 is exposed from slit 72 of holder 70. In such an embodiment, needle holder 70 may be coupled to a distal portion of shaft 22.

For transcatheter procedures, delivery tool 20 is advanced toward the heart through an advancement catheter, e.g., a 12-13 F catheter. The advancement catheter facilitates a traumatic advancement of tool 20 through vasculature of the patient by providing an overtube which covers the outwardly-facing needle 64 of tool 20.

The advancement catheter is positioned in the heart in a manner in which a distal end thereof is disposed within the ventricle of the patient and a portion of the advancement catheter extends between the leaflets of the atrioventricular valve of the patient. Tool 20 is advanced through the advancement catheter until a distal end thereof is disposed in the vicinity of first implantation site 5 and subsequently facilitates the implantation of spool assembly 240 in tissue of the ventricle at first implantation site 5. Following the implantation of spool assembly 240 in first implantation site 5, the advancement catheter and multilumen shaft 22 are retracted proximally such that the distal-most ends of the advancement catheter and shaft 22 are disposed proximally to the atrioventricular valve. The advancement catheter is retracted further in order to expose the outwardly-facing needle 64 from within the advancement catheter. Delivery tool 20 is then manipulated, e.g., pushed laterally, such that the piercing portion, e.g., the barbed portion, of needle 64 is disposed adjacently to and punctures a leaflet of the atrioventricular valve. The barbed portion remains disposed coupled to the leaflet, and thereby the second portion of the longitudinal member is coupled to the leaflet.

Spool assembly 240 is then adjusted in a manner as described hereinabove in order to adjust a distance between the second portion of the longitudinal member and spool assembly 240, and thereby create an adjustable artificial chordae tendineae that resembles the native chordae tendineae. Following the adjusting of the longitudinal member, delivery tool 20 is decoupled from spool assembly 240, as described hereinabove, and tool 20 and the advancement catheter are extracted from within the body of the patient.

Reference is still yet again made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. It is to be noted that spool housing 42 and spool 46 may be implanted in a first portion of tissue of the heart independently of tool 20 and tissue anchor 50. In such an embodiment, spool housing 42 is sutured to tissue of the ventricle. Prior to implantation of housing 42, a longitudinal member is coupled to, e.g., knotted to, welded to, looped through, spool 46 at a first portion thereof. The second portion of spool 46 is coupled to, e.g., knotted to, sutured to, or anchored to, a second portion of tissue of the heart. Spool 46 may be rotated using any suitable screwdriver or screwdriver head 95, as described hereinabove.

Reference is still yet again made to FIGS. 1-12A-B. Spool 46 may be coupled to the heart tissue in a manner in which a central longitudinal axis through spool 46 forms an angle with a surface of the heart tissue of between about 30 and 180 degrees, e.g., between about 75 and 90 degrees, such as about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, spool 46 is coupled to the heart tissue in a manner in which the central longitudinal axis is parallel with the surface of the heart tissue.

For some applications, techniques described herein are practiced in combination with techniques described in one or more of the references cited in the Background section and Cross-references section of the present patent application.

Additionally, the scope of the present invention includes embodiments described in one or more of the following:

-   -   PCT Publication WO 06/097931 to Gross et al., entitled, “Mitral         Valve treatment techniques,” filed Mar. 15, 2006;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/873,075 to Gross et al.,         entitled, “Mitral valve closure techniques,” filed Dec. 5, 2006;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/902,146 to Gross et al.,         entitled, “Mitral valve closure techniques,” filed on Feb. 16,         2007;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/001,013 to Gross et al.,         entitled, “Segmented ring placement,” filed Oct. 29, 2007;     -   PCT Patent Application PCT/IL07/001503 to Gross et al.,         entitled, “Segmented ring placement,” filed on Dec. 5, 2007;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/132,295 to Gross et al.,         entitled, “Annuloplasty devices and methods of delivery         therefor,” filed on Jun. 16, 2008;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/341,960 to Cabiri, entitled,         “Adjustable partial annuloplasty ring and mechanism therefor,”         filed on Dec. 22, 2008;     -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/207,908, to Miller et         al., entitled, “Actively-engageable movement-restriction         mechanism for use with an annuloplasty structure,” filed on Feb.         17, 2009;     -   A US patent application entitled “Annuloplasty ring with         intra-ring anchoring”;     -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,692 to Zollinger et al.; and     -   U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0118151 to Davidson.

All of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. Techniques described herein can be practiced in combination with techniques described in one or more of these applications.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 

1. A method, comprising: implanting, at an intraventricular site of a ventricle of a patient, a spool coupled to a first end portion of a longitudinal member; and coupling a second end portion of the longitudinal member to a portion of tissue facing a lumen of the ventricle.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transcatheterally advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site during an open-heart procedure.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site during a minimally-invasive procedure.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen comprises coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve of the patient.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the spool is coupled to a tissue anchor, and wherein implanting the spool in the intraventricular site comprises implanting the tissue anchor in tissue of the ventricle in a manner in which a distal end of the tissue anchor is disposed within the tissue of the ventricle and does not extend beyond a pericardium of a heart of the patient.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: implanting the spool comprises implanting the spool at a first portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen, coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a second portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen, and the method further comprises: rotating the spool in a first direction thereof, by the rotating of the spool, winding a portion of the longitudinal member around the spool, by the winding of the portion, shortening a length of the longitudinal member, and by the shortening of the length of the longitudinal member, drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen of the patient.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue comprises implanting the spool at a papillary muscle of a left ventricle of the patient, coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a mitral valve of the patient, and drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen comprises drawing the leaflet toward the papillary muscle.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein: implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue comprises implanting the spool at a papillary muscle of a right ventricle of the patient, coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of the patient, and drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen comprises drawing the leaflet toward the papillary muscle. 11-12. (canceled)
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein: implanting the spool at the first portion of tissue comprises implanting the spool at a first portion of an inner wall of the ventricle of the patient, coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the longitudinal member to a second portion of the inner wall of the ventricle of the patient, and drawing together the first and second portions of the tissue facing the ventricular lumen comprises drawing the first and second portions of tissue of the inner wall of the ventricle toward each other.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The method according to claim 8, wherein implanting the spool coupled to the first end portion of the longitudinal member comprises implanting a spool coupled to at least first and second longitudinal members at respective first end portions thereof, each longitudinal member having respective second end portions thereof, and wherein the method further comprises: coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first portion of heart tissue facing the ventricular lumen, coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second portion of heart tissue facing the ventricular lumen, and drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein implanting the spool comprises implanting the spool at a papillar muscle.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein: coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first portion of an inner wall of the ventricle, coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second portion of an inner wall of the ventricle, and drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other comprises drawing together the first and second portions of the inner wall of the ventricle.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein: coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve, coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a papillary muscle of the ventricle, and drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other comprises drawing the leaflet and the papillary muscle toward each other.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The method according to claim 15, wherein: coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to the first portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the first longitudinal member to a first leaflet of an atrioventricular valve, coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to the second portion of tissue comprises coupling the second end portion of the second longitudinal member to a second leaflet of the atrioventricular valve, and drawing the first and second portions of heart tissue toward each other comprises drawing the first and second leaflets toward each other.
 23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising advancing the spool toward the intraventricular site by advancing a portion of a delivery tool that is reversibly coupled to the spool between leaflets of an atrioventricular valve having at least first and second leaflets thereof, and wherein implanting the spool at the intraventricular site comprises manipulating the delivery tool to implant the spool at the intraventricular site.
 24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising: following the implanting of the spool: coupling the delivery tool from the spool, removing the delivery tool from the ventricle, and subsequently to the removing, accessing the spool at the intraventricular site.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein accessing the spool comprises recoupling the delivery tool to the spool by advancing the delivery tool along at least one guide wire coupled to the spool.
 26. The method according to claim 24, wherein accessing the spool comprises coupling a torque-delivering-tool to the spool by advancing the torque-delivering-tool through an elongate tube coupled at a first end thereof to the spool and at second end thereof to a portion of subcutaneous tissue of the patient.
 27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the method further comprises: following the coupling of the second end portion of the longitudinal member to the portion of tissue facing the ventricular lumen: sliding a shaft of the delivery tool with respect to a torque-delivering tool of the delivery tool, and sliding a proximal portion of the shaft into a lumen of a handle portion of the delivery tool; and subsequently to the sliding, rotating the spool in the first direction thereof.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein sliding the shaft comprises: sliding the shaft until a distal portion of the shaft is disposed proximally to the atrioventricular valve, and responsively, reducing a diameter of the portion of the delivery tool disposed between the leaflets of the valve.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein reducing the diameter of the portion of the delivery tool disposed between the leaflets of the valve comprises reducing the diameter to between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm.
 30. The method according to claim 1, wherein: implanting the spool comprises implanting: a spool coupled to a mechanical locking element having a surface coupled to the lower surface of the rotatable structure, and wherein the method further comprises: advancing an elongate tool through a channel provided by the spool; unlocking the spool from the mechanical locking element by pushing a depressible portion of the surface of the locking element; responsively to the pushing of the depressible portion, dislodging a protrusion protruding out of a plane of the surface of the mechanical element from within a recess defined by the spool; and rotating the spool.
 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein: during a first period: in response to the pushing of the elongate tool, maintaining the protrusion in a position in which it is dislodged from the recess, and rotating the spool; during a second period: removing the elongate tool from within the channel and facilitating positioning of the protrusion in the recess, and restricting rotation of the spool. 32-79. (canceled) 